AMD Ryzen 5 1600X vs Intel Core i5-11400T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a surprisingly close contest between the Intel Core i5-11400T and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, with the Intel part taking seven of the eight benchmark comparisons. The margins are narrow in most cases, but the single-core Geekbench result is a decisive outlier.

Looking at the Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i5-11400T holds a consistent but small lead across every version. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 1120 against the AMD's 1116, a delta of 0.4%. Single-core R15 is a dead heat at 157 for both, with the Intel chip awarded the win on a 0% delta. Cinebench R20 shows the same pattern: 4667 versus 4650 in multi-core (0.4% delta) and 658 versus 656 in single-core (0.3% delta). Cinebench R23 continues the trend with 11113 versus 11073 in multi-core and 1569 versus 1563 in single-core, both at 0.4% deltas.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X takes the win with 5661 against the Intel's 5591, a delta of -1.2% from Intel's perspective. That is the only benchmark where the AMD part comes out ahead. In single-core Geekbench, the Intel Core i5-11400T delivers a commanding result: 1597 versus 1117, a delta of 43%. That is the largest margin recorded in the entire head-to-head comparison, and it is the only test where the gap exceeds a couple of percentage points.

The average benchmark scores in the database tell a similar story. The Intel Core i5-11400T holds an average score of 3309 across all recorded benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X sits at 3249. The Intel chip places in the 54th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with the AMD part one percentile behind at 53rd.

The nearest rival data provides additional context. The Intel Core i5-11400T's closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600, both at 3303 average score with a 0.2% delta, along with the Intel Core i5-11500T at 3288 (0.6% delta) and the Intel Core i7-7800X at 3333 (-0.7% delta). The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X sits near the Intel Xeon D-1581 (3238, 0.3% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 (3264, -0.5% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 (3265, -0.5% delta), and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2516 (3277, -0.8% delta). Neither processor is dramatically ahead of its immediate rivals; both sit in a dense cluster of comparable chips.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear but nuanced recommendation. The Intel Core i5-11400T wins seven of eight head-to-head tests, including all five Cinebench variants. It also holds a higher average benchmark score (3309 versus 3249) and a higher percentile ranking (54 versus 53). The single-core Geekbench result is decisive: a 43% advantage for Intel. If the workload involves single-threaded performance, the choice is straightforward.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, however, wins the Geekbench multi-core test by a 1.2% margin. The database also shows it supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. For users who prioritize those features, the AMD part has a defined role.

The data suggests that for most general computing tasks, the Intel Core i5-11400T is the stronger choice. Its Cinebench wins are consistent, and the single-core Geekbench gap is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X remains viable for multi-threaded workloads where ECC support or overclocking matters, but the recorded benchmarks do not show it winning a majority of tests anywhere.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T scores 1597 in Geekbench single-core, versus 1117 for the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X. That is a 43% delta in Intel's favor.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: Yes. The AMD part wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 5661 against the Intel's 5591, a delta of -1.2% from Intel's perspective.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T scores 11113, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X scores 11073. The delta is 0.4% in Intel's favor.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400T has an average benchmark score of 3309, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X averages 3249. The Intel part ranks in the 54th percentile of all CPUs, the AMD part in the 53rd.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-11400T does not.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-11400T does not.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several core specifications. The Intel Core i5-11400T has a base clock of 1300.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X runs at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The Intel part carries a 35 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 95 W.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1200, AMD uses Socket AM4. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the AMD part has none. PCIe support also differs, with Intel offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and AMD offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Memory bandwidth is another split: Intel lists 51.2 GB/s, AMD lists 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus.

The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i5-11400T is $182. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X launched at $249. The Intel part is marked end-of-life in the database, while the AMD part is listed as active production.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on a 14 nm process node, but the similarities end there. The Intel Core i5-11400T uses the Rocket Lake architecture, codenamed Rocket Lake, from the Core 11th Gen series. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Zen (Summit Ridge), from the 1000 series.

The Intel die size is 276 mm², while the AMD die measures 213 mm². The AMD part lists 4,800 million transistors; the Intel part does not have a transistor count in the database. The cache layouts differ as well. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD part may help in certain cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark results do not show a consistent AMD advantage.

The Intel part is fabricated by Intel, while the AMD part is fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The Intel processor is from the Rocket Lake-S generation, while the AMD part is from the Zen (Summit Ridge) generation. The release dates are far apart: the Intel part launched on 2021-03-15, the AMD part on 2017-04-10.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400T wins in every Cinebench test, both multi-core and single-core, across R15, R20, and R23. The margins are small (0.3% to 0.4%), but they are consistent. The Intel part also wins Geekbench single-core by a massive 43% margin, which makes it the clear choice for single-threaded applications, lightly threaded games, or any workload that depends on high per-core performance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X wins only Geekbench multi-core, by 1.2%. That result, combined with its ECC memory support and unlocked multiplier, gives it a specific niche. For users building a system around ECC memory or planning to overclock, the AMD part offers those capabilities. The larger 16 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz may also help in certain multi-threaded scenarios, though the recorded benchmarks only show one multi-core win.

For a general-purpose desktop processor, the data favors the Intel Core i5-11400T. It wins more tests, has a higher average score, and delivers a dominant single-core Geekbench result. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600X remains a functional alternative for multi-threaded workloads with ECC or overclocking requirements, but the benchmark record does not support choosing it for raw performance in most cases.